2024 hasn’t been the most dominant of Max Verstappen’s four championship victories, but he’s had to work as hard as ever to enjoy success.
Everyone knows that his infamous 2021 battle with Lewis Hamilton, which went down to the wire, was incredibly hard work – especially in a physical sense.
But this season he has spent much of the year in fear that McLaren and Lando Norris will eventually chase him down in a superior car.
But he has done what great champions do and held his nerve right to the end to claim the overall silverware with two races to spare.
Max Verstappen delivers sarcastic ‘luck’ response to title winner question
A great indication of just how impressive Verstappen has been this season is how much he has dominated his Formula 1 race-winning teammate.
Sergio Perez has been utterly outclassed, with less than 40% of the total points, and an average of six positions worse off in qualifying than Verstappen.
If he had performed anywhere close to the Dutchman’s standard, they would be in a position to claim the constructors’ championship with two races to go.
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What it does indicate, is that Verstappen may have just been that good in what hasn’t been an amazing car.
Quizzed by Motorsport.com as to whether he believed anyone else could have won the championship in his car, he laughed before delivering his response.
“We are in the right place for that question in Vegas because you can bet on that! The only thing I can say: I wish them the best of luck…”
Does Verstappen need to worry for 2025?
Verstappen has the chance to achieve something which only one other driver ever has in 2025 and win five championships in a row.
Arguably, 2004 saw Ferrari produce the best car that they ever did for Michael Schumacher before the technical regulations changed.
In a sort of mirror situation, but 20 years later, it would be a surprise if Red Bull were not contenders next year, despite their drop-off towards the end of the season.
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They’re pretty good at bouncing back and their concept has made strides forward in recent weeks – just look at Verstappen’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix victory.
Their car will be more of an evolution and quite different in 2025 you would expect, but when Verstappen is in the cockpit, anything is possible – even if the car isn’t up to scratch.
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